Ed and Jeanne André

PHILANTHROPY

AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, Palm Bay Hospital depends on philanthropic support to ensure high quality care for patients. Examples of this strong connection to the community are woven into the new expansion like threads on fine fabric.

Near the entry on the hospital’s first floor is the new Rachael M. Anderson Chapel, funded with a generous gift from Ed and Jeanne André and their daughter, Jessica. The family’s deep and abiding faith led them to make a special gift to honor Rachael, the André’s daughter and Jessica’s sister, who died in 2004 after a brave battle with cancer.

While the hospital has always offered the services of a chaplain, until the expansion there was no chapel or designated place patients and families could gather privately for quiet moments or spiritual support. To the Andrés, who have lived in Brevard County for many years, supporting health care and other community needs is a way of life.

“We have a passion in our heart for this community and feel it’s important to support the community that supports us so much.” said Jeanne.  “We try to live by ‘From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48b.’”

City of Palm Bay Supports Hospital Expansion
Another generous gift was from the city of Palm Bay. With the help of Mayor John Mazziotti, nearly $60,000 was raised for the expansion with charitable proceeds from the 2007 and 2009 Mayors’ Ball.  To recognize the gifts, an outdoor dining area carries the name “The City Café.”

Dr. Carl Smedberg

Other benefactors have provided gifts to furnish patient rooms, equip diagnostic services and special procedure rooms and much more.  They include Health First Physicians, who have named the ICU Family Waiting Room, and Space Coast Pathologists, headed by Dr. Carl Smedberg, who have named the Conference Dining Room.

Hospital employees also embarked on a special fund drive to create an outdoor Tranquility Garden.  Located near the chapel, it offers a peaceful and relaxing green space for visitors, families and associates.  The garden is named to honor Gail Schuneman, who served as hospital president for nearly eight years before retiring in February 2008.

Charitable gifts to the hospital, and all healthcare programs at Health First, are handled by the Health First Foundation.  To make a gift or for more information please call 321-434-7353.

CLICK HERE FOR RELATED STORY: Palm Bay Hospital Morphs Into Major Healthcare Force

PALM BAY HOSPITAL (Florida) has been transformed from a small community hospital into a major health care force, adding 92 private rooms and a state-of-the-art, 12-bed intensive care unit, expanded emergency department and new special procedure rooms.

Related posts:

1. Palm Bay Hospital Dedicates Rachael M. Anderson Chapel
2. Palm Bay Hospital Morphs Into Major Healthcare Force
3. Foundation Supported By Strong Community Participation
4. Holmes Regional, Palm Bay Hospital Receive National Recognition
5. SRMC Breaks Ground on 55,000 square-foot Facility Expansion